KDM Fundraiser for Children’s Specialized Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Published by May 9, 2018 | By Carolina Guerra
Students selling neon colored t-shirts to support Children’s Specialized Hospital. Photos by Carolina Guerra.
The Kean Dance Marathon, otherwise known as KDM, was a major success, raising $53,875.52.
Many students and student organizations, such as the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, participated in an effort to raise money. A website dedicated to KDM was created to rally teams to raise money. Several activities were available for students to partake in, including Twister, Jumbo Jenga, and raffles. Neon colored T-shirts, which reflected the glow-in-the-dark theme, were available for purchase to support the fundraiser. Throughout the event, students were dancing and enjoying the non-stop entertainment.
Junior Gabriela Bonilla told of her direct experiences with the Children’s Specialized Hospital.
“My major is psychology in therapeutic recreation and occupational therapy track because of Children’s Specialized Hospital. I’ve always said ‘If I could do for another child what they did for me’ then my life’s mission is complete,” said Bonilla. “This event to them [the children] means absolutely everything. I just wanted to come up here and be living proof that what you guys are doing, all the time you’re putting in, all the hours that you’re putting in, it’s going somewhere.”
“When I was twelve years old, I spent four weeks in Children’s Specialized Hospital and all the money that we raise at KDM goes to Children’s Specialized Hospital and that means the world to me because I was on the other end. Just seeing how hard everyone works, it really means a lot to me because I know a while ago I was in those kids’ place.”
Students dancing and enjoying the music. Photos by Carolina Guerra.
President of the NSCS club and senior, Lexi Oakley, stated her reason for being at KDM was to support the cause, which has sentimental meaning to her.
“Children’s Specialized Hospital is dear to my heart. I have friends and family that work in it. So we [NSCS club] decided to come to KDM to show our support. I think hearing the stories from the kids is a great experience because you don’t know what everyone’s going through in their lives, especially when they’re younger. I wanted our members and volunteers to hear those stories too, so they can see the perspectives of the children,” she said.
The event was held in Downs Hall from April 20, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., April 21.
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